From the golden amber hues to the sweet and smoky notes, rum offers a world of exploration for cocktail enthusiasts. And there’s no better time to appreciate its delicious flavours than World Rum Day, which happens on the second Saturday of July. And if you're in Singapore—the cocktail capital of Southeast Asia—you're in luck. Rum is celebrated the whole month of July, and parts of August, too!
Whether you're a seasoned rum aficionado or just starting your love affair with this spirit, embark on a rum-soaked adventure with this list of rum events and interesting cocktails to try.
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MO BAR
There’s too many good rum cocktails to choose from at MO Bar, so we picked the prettiest one: On A Beach Somewhere ($25) is a deliciously bright creation that blends Devilwood with Bacardi 4 and a blend of tropical flavours with hints of lime and passionfruit.
MO Bar is at 5 Raffles Ave, Mandarin Oriental, Singapore, Singapore 039797 (tel: 6885 3500)
28 HONG KONG STREET
A pioneer in the cocktail scene, 28 HongKong Street delivers perfection every time. Try the Right Hook Royale ($25), an intriguing libation made with Santa Teresa 1796, a red wine reduction, cacao Rinomato Aperitivo, Apollo milk wafer and Scrappy’s aromatic bitters.
Visit 28 HongKong Street, Singapore 059667. Book a table here.
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FURA
A sustainability-forward bar, FURA showcases the bounty of Singapore’s tropical fruits in Juicy Fruit ($24). A punchy blend of Bacardi Carta Blanca, Empirical The Plum I Suppose, jackfruit, pineapple and banana turns into a likeness of a particular bubble gum I used to chew.
FURA is at 74A Amoy St, Singapore 069893 (tel: 8406 8899)
STUDIO 1939
A great place for cocktail novices, Studio 1939 at Potato Head Singapore serves up delectable drinks like Love Drunk ($25). This fruity-tart highball made with rum, raspberry, rhubarb, grapefruit and yoghurt is featured on Studio 1939’s latest cocktail menu, STFU (Spice, Tea, Fruit, Umami), which draws inspiration from local flavours the team grew up with.
Studio 1939 is at 36 Keong Saik Rd, Potato Head Singapore Level 3, Singapore 089143 (tel: 6327 1939)
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DRAGONFLY
For a nightcap, head to the newly-opened Dragonfly at Vibe Hotel on Mount Elizabeth. The décor is gorgeous and so are the drinks. Try Murphy’s Law ($25), presented differently as an ice-cream tipple. House-crafted dark rum swirls with sweet corn ice cream with pipette-dropped mala oil. The mala oil includes hints of ginger, chilli and Szechuan Peppercorn. Decadent!
Dragonfly is at 24 Mount Elizabeth, #01-05 Vibe Hotel Singapore, Singapore 228518 (tel: 8088 6525)
WHITE SHADES
My favourite watering hole, White Shades creates inventive and smashable cocktails—you’ll never stop at one! Try the Clear Black ($25), a nutty, buttery and oaky concoction made with distilled black ingredients like black sesame, black glutinous rice, and peanut butter with Bacardi Blanca Rum.
White Shades is at 25 Boon Tat St, Singapore 069622 (tel: 8575 8578)
MANHATTAN BAR
One of the most awarded bars in Singapore, Manhattan Bar makes excellent artisanal cocktails using pretty much any base spirit (and the bartenders are great eye candy, too!). For something lightly-spiced and velvety, try Las Letras ($30) made with Matusalem 15 Years Old, Mancino Secco, and Gonzalez Bypass Cream Sherry.
Manhattan Bar is at 1 Cuscaden Rd, Conrad Orchard Singapore Level 2, Singapore 249715 (tel: 6725 3377)
PUNCH ROOM
If you need an excuse to lounge at the moody blue Punch Room at The Singapore EDITION, go order Daeng's Punch ($27), inspired by Temenggong Daeng Ibrahim, ruler of Johor in the late 1800s. This sweet-sour number contains Bacardi Ocho Rum, Nikka Coffey Grain Whisky, Muyu Vetiver, Betel Leaf and Assam.
Punch Room is at 38 Cuscaden Rd, Basement 4, Singapore 249731 (Tel: 6329 5000)
RUM EVENTS AROUND SINGAPORE
Rum & Roll Rendezvous
The Rum Cartel is hosting Rum & Roll Rendezvous, a three-day rum festival at InterContinental Singapore from 26 to 28 July. Immerse yourself in the spirit of Havana with live Latin music, sip on a tantalising array of free-flowing rum cocktails, and learn from educational masterclasses and tastings. Feeling tropical? Take a dip by the pool at the Tropical Pool Party (27 July). For full access, book a Rum Retreat and stay in a Classic Room for $435++ per night. Tickets are available here.
Bacardi Rum Month
Bacardi, the world's most awarded rum, is hosting over 10 events at 53 bars across the island centered around three iconic rum cocktails: The International Piña Colada Day (10 July), International Mojito Day (11 July), and International Daiquiri Day (19 July). Raise a glass at your favourite bars in town like Smoke & Mirrors, MO Bar, Sugarhall, and Native. You can also look forward to guest shifts from well-known overseas bars like ReCraft from Manila, Sober Company from Shanghai, Backdoor Bodega from Penang, and Bangkok's Dry/Wave Cocktail Studio. Patrons can book tables directly on the websites of the participating bars. Learn more about Bacardi Rum Month here.
Rum Fest Singapore 2024
From Santa Teresa To Diplomatico, get to know your rums more intimately at this annual festival from 1 to 4 August at Millennia Walk's atrium. Don’t miss out on the opportunity to taste over 100 of the finest rums and mingle with fellow rum enthusiasts. Whether you're a seasoned imbiber or simply looking for an enjoyable time, this event is perfect for anyone keen on a fun and educational experience. Not only will you get to savour delicious rum-based cocktails, or purchase bottles at a dedicated rum shop, you can also deepen your rum knowledge at exclusive masterclasses from $10 per person. On the final day, don’t miss the Daquiri Challenge by Ron Colón, where participants will compete to make the fastest daquiri. Register for tickets here.